The sage grouse protects itself in many ways. First, the hen will make a cackling sound and flap her wings. The hens camouflage in the sage brush. Sage brush has to be very thick for camouflage. The sage grouse have feathers over their nostrils and also on their toes and legs so in winter they can stay warm. The sage grouse build snow roosts in the winter. They build a snow roost with their feet and bodies by scratching the snow and then standing in the snow to melt out a little hollow cave. A snow roost is a little snow cave in which the sage grouse hides from the wind and cold. The sage grouse also form groups in the winter. They sit in a big circle with their tails pointed toward the middle of the circle. When enemies come near they will attack the enemy then go back and huddle in the circle. These are some ways the sage grouse protect themselves.

This is a photo of a sage grouse.

This is a drawing of a sage grouse with sage brush.